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PROTECT YOURSELF FROM THE SUN Sunburn increases your risk of skin cancer. Sunburn doesn't just happen on holiday; you can burn in the UK, even when it's cloudy. There's no safe or healthy way to get a tan. A tan doesn't protect your skin from the sun's harmful effects. Aim to strike a balance between protecting yourself from the sun and getting enough vitamin D from sunlight. For more information please follow the link: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/skin/Pages/Sunsafe.aspx#safety

Repeat Medication

If you are on repeat medication it will be managed in one of two ways:

"Autos": For medications that fit neatly into 4-week cycles (e.g. aspirin one a day in boxes of 28 tablets) we will automatically print the prescription or dispense the medicine, as appropriate, in anticipation ready for collection.

"Repeats": For a repeat medication where we cannot anticipate when you will need it (e.g. a cream or painkillers) we will print/dispense it for you only when you tell us that you need it – but please note that with effect from 1st February 2017 we do require a FULL three working days' (72 hours) notice. It is best to re-order by ticking the required items on the right hand side of your repeat prescription form and posting it in the box at reception, or via the mail. Alternatively you can use our website (ask at reception for details). We will take requests by phone, but this method is prone to errors and is not encouraged. If ringing in please call after 11:00am.

If you are a patient for whom we are not allowed to dispense you may leave stamped addressed envelopes with us, or use a pharmacy prescription collection service, rather than collect your prescriptions from us direct.

We will make out your prescription within 72 hours but please remember that using the post or other method will add extra time before your medication is available. Obtaining appliances will take longer than three working days.

PLEASE REMEMBER

ALLOW THREE WORKING DAYS BEFORE COLLECTION FOR ALL REQUESTS FOR REPEAT MEDICATION

This applies to both dispensed medicines and prescriptions to be taken to the pharmacist.

Medication Required Urgently

Please try and plan ahead so that you do not run out of your medication. If you do require a medicine urgently please contact the Surgery. Your request will be dealt with by the Dispensary during its opening hours, and at other times by one of the doctors at the Surgery or by the GP Out-of-Hours Service accessed via NHS 111.

Dispensing

We are able to dispense medicines for the majority of our patients, but we are not allowed to dispense for patients who live within a mile of a pharmacy as the crow flies. This applies to all patients living in Thirsk and Sowerby who must take their prescriptions to a pharmacy.

All other patients should present their prescriptions at the dispensary counter after seeing the doctor or nurse.

Prescriptions issued by the doctors during surgery consultations are usually dispensed and available within minutes of being handed in at the Dispensary. But occasionally the doctor has prescribed something special. When this happens it will be ordered from the wholesaler and is normally available within a day of the prescription being written.

If you do not want or need the medication that the doctor has prescribed please let the doctor or dispenser know.

Please note that in line with national policy guidelines, it is practice policy to dispense only one month's supply of medication at any one time.

Government legislation requires that all prescriptions collected, except those exempt on age grounds, have to be signed for by the person who collects the medication.

If you are exempt from payment you must CROSS the box that has the appropriate exemption and sign the form at the bottom, remembering to show exemption staff proof of exemption.

If you pay for your prescriptions you must fill in the amount you have paid and sign to say that the money has been collected from you.

Please remember - It is not the responsibility of the dispenser to fill in your form. Please read it carefully and fill it in correctly. This will help the staff carry on with their work.

Medication Review

All repeat medication must be reviewed at intervals to ensure that it continues to provide benefit and is not detrimental. If you are on repeat medication we will ask you to come in to the Surgery to discuss your medication with the doctor or nurse at regular intervals, usually once every six months or a year.

This may also involve routine blood or other tests, e.g. blood pressure. Our request to you may come via the dispenser or nurse, on a medication review form or, occasionally by telephone call.

If we telephone and there is an answer phone we will leave a message requesting that you contact the Surgery. If you do not want messages left on your answering service please let us know.